Manchester City cruise to win over battling Hull City

Despite a brave comeback from Steve Bruce's side, goals from Edin Dzeko and Frank Lampard allowed Manchester City to take all three points in a dramatic Premier League fixture at the weekend.

Hull have been struggling with several defensive issues of late, conceding 11 goals in their past four competitive ties against West Ham, Newcastle, West Brom, and now City.

Hull woes

Steve Bruce has called for his defence to make drastic improvements in order to keep the goal count at a low level. But that went straight out of the window after approximately 40 seconds when Sergio Aguero had already tested Allan McGregor at his near post, forcing early pressure.

Hull didn't seem to have switched on as they could not get a foothold of the ball, giving it away on numerous occasions inside the opening five minutes. And the Tigers were then made to pay when Aguero pounced expertly on a free ball in the penalty area. The finger was immediately pointed at the defence and pressure began to mount rapidly upon Hull.

All of which was too much to handle, as moments later City doubled their lead through a fine Dzeko finesse shot into the top corner. Frustrations began to grow in the crowd and in the technical area as Bruce desperately screamed his orders to the players.

If at any time Hull needed a bit of luck, it was now, and it certainly came at its due date when Eliaquim Mangala headed the ball into his own net from an Ahmed Elmohamady cross. All of a sudden, something seemed to click in place for Bruce's side as they began to test City's second keeper, Willy Caballero, who managed to comfortably keep out a header from Abel Hernandez.

But it was Mangala who became the architect of City's downfall when he conceded a penalty after committing a dangerously high foul on Hull's new Uruguayan forward, who stepped up to take the penalty comfortably, sending the keeper the wrong way. Spirits were now strongly lifted in the Hull camp as both sides went into their dressing rooms level at half time.

It was Hull who began the second half as well as they finished the first, applying instant pressure on the City back line. Tom Huddlestone very nearly found himself on the scoreboard, but his 25-yard drive towards the bottom corner was parried away by Caballero.

Last gasp attempt

However, Hull's fortune had reached the end of the line, and some exquisite football from Pellegrini's side ended up with Dzeko tucking in his second of the game from a tight angle. Nevertheless, the Tigers continued to fight desperately to get back into the game and substitute Gaston Ramirez almost became the hero, but he could only strike his effort straight at the goalkeeper.

Hull's efforts seemed to be taking them nowhere and the energy levels dropped dramatically, allowing Frank Lampard to drill the final nail into the coffin, scoring his fourth goal for the club in a week after signing in the summer.

Hull will now be desperate to get their first win since the opening day against Crystal Palace next Saturday having only registered six points in six games.

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